SACP crushes KZN rebellion over elections decision

Mthembu told to stop 'sowing confusion' in party

- By Sihle Mavuso

The SACP is moving to ruthlessly suppress a rebellion in its KwaZulu-Natal heartland, ordering axed leaders to stand down after they revolted against the party’s historic decision to contest the 2026 elections independently from the ANC, a split that insiders warn could trigger violence in South Africa’s most politically volatile province.

In a hardline letter obtained by Sunday World, national deputy secretary Madala Masuku commands dethroned KZN secretary Themba Mthembu to stop “sowing confusion” and presenting himself as a leader, a direct response to the disbanded provincial executive's refusal to accept its dissolution.

The rebellion, which has the tacit support of national chairperson Blade Nzimande, represents the most significant internal crisis for the SACP since it decided to contest election independent of the ANC.